X-ray tube stand



, April 18, 1939. A. c. NELSON X-RAY TUBE STAND Filed June 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 18, 1939. A. c. NELSON RAY TUBE STAND Filed June 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ,4. C. 4 5150.

Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE X-RAY TUBE STAND tion of Delaware Application June 13, 1935, Serial No. 26,326

4 Claims.

My invention relates to X-ray apparatus and more particularly to what is known to the art as tube columns for supporting the X-ray tube unit.

It is customary to utilize such apparatus either as a portable device so that it may be moved about the floor in order to correctly position the X-ray tube, for example over a bed-ridden patient, or to employ the same in conjunction with an X-ray examination table. In this latter event the radiographic tube is supported by the tube column and the entire apparatus is movable along the length of the table which, together with the various movements of the tube itself, results in the attainment of substantially universal movement.

Such apparatus has heretofore been of a cumbersome nature with a portion of the tube column protruding above the X-ray tube carriage. Precaution must accordingly be exercised to prevent go the conductors which carry the high potential electrical energy for energizing the X-ray tube from contacting the uppermost portion of the tube column. This disadvantageous feature is still further emphasized in modern equipment 3 wherein the X-ray tube is supplied with electrical energy through grounded metallic sheathed cables. These cables are connected to the metallic housing encasing the X-ray tube immersed in oil and extend to the high potential source of 3) supply by being connected directly to a transformer casing or to an overhead system which is in turn connected thereto. Although of a flexible nature these cables are of substantial diameter in order to obtain requisite insulation to with- 33 stand the operating potentials of the tube.

If impeded in any way not only is the substantially universal movement of the X-ray tube rendered somewhat difficult but the possibility of injury to the cable is enhanced with possible breakvu) clown thereof and attendant spark-over of the high voltage.

It is accordingly an object of my present invention to provide an X-ray tube wherein the X-ray tube unit is carried at the uppermost ex- 5 tremity of the stand and is arranged for substantially universal movement thereabout so that the high tension cables for supplying the energy to the X-ray tube will not contact any parts of the stand during movement of the tube unit.

5o Anoth r object of my present invention is the provision of an X-ray tube stand wherein the X-ray tube unit is carried at the uppermost extremity of the column with the latter being extensible relative to the base portion to enhance 5,5 the facility of adjustment of the X-ray tube unit relative to' a patient and the unit itself is substantially universally adjustable.

A further object of my present invention is the provision of an X-ray tube stand wherein the X-ray tube unit is carried at the uppermost extremity of a vertically adjustable counter-balanced upright or column with the tube unit being substantially universally adjustable, and the grounded metallic sheathed cables for supplying the high potential electrical energy and which 14 follow the movement of the tube unit, in no way impede movement of the unit.

Still further objects of my present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings 1'" wherein:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a tube stand as used in conjunction with X-ray examination tables and constructed in accordance with my present invention; m

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the tube column shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the tube column and X-ray tube unit constructed in accordance with my present invention as shown in the preceding figures.

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the tube column taken on the line IV--IV of Fig. l with portions thereof broken away to better illustrate the same, and .80

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line- V-V of Fig. 4 also with portions broken away.

Referring now to the drawings in detail I have shown in Fig. 1 an X-ray tube stand which comprises a base member 5 formed of two hollow spaced vertical sections 6 and I joined together adjacent their upper and lower extremities through the medium of brackets or braces 8 and 9 which may be in the form of castings. The lower brace 8 is bent outwardly and angularly upward and at the center thereof is provided with a pivoted bifurcated member I!) having rollers l2 at its extremities which ride upon a guide rail l3 extending longitudinally of an examination table I4 (Fig. 2) and supported by suitable pedestals I5. 46

The upper brace 9 is also provided with a laterally extending vertical portion l6 which at its lower extremity flares outwardly to form a horizontal semi-sleeve I! having a plurality of rollers l8 journalled thereto and adapted to en- 50 gage a second guide rail I9 secured to the pedestals 55, thus enabling longitudinal movement of the base member 5 relative to the guide rails I3 and I9 and the table M.

An upright or column 20 in the form of a n5 channel or the like is disposed between the spaced hollow sections of the base 6 and 1 and is provided on its inner surface with small channel members 22 and 23 (Fig. 5) forming guideways which are engaged by a plurality of rollers 24 journalled to small laterally extending lugs 25 provided on the surface of the brace 9 opposite to that of the portion l6, thus enabling vertical extensible movement of the upright 20 with respect to the sections 6 and l of the base 5.

In order to form a support for the upright 20 and counter-balance its movement counterweights 26 are housed within the hollow sections 6 and 1. A pulley or sheave 21 is pivoted to suitable brackets 28 affixed to the upper end of the sections 6 and 1 and a suitable chain or cable 29 passes over these pulleys 21 and is suitably secured to both the counterweights 26 and to brackets 30 in turn fastened to the sides of the upright 20 adjacent its lower extremity. Also the sections 6 and I are provided with suitable end caps 3| for the purpose of concealing the pulleys 2! as well as to prevent anything being caught therein, such as the garment of an operator or patient. Thus the upright or column 20 is freely movable due to the counterbalancing thereof by the counterweights 26 and the engagement of the rollers 24 with the tracks or guideways 22 and 23. These rollers are held in a fixed position upon the brace 9 and so engage these guideways 22 and 23 as to not only permit free extensible movement of the upright column 26 with respect to the base 5, but in addition prevent lateral movement thereof as can be appreciated by reference to Fig. 5.

The upper extremity of the upright column 29 flares slightly outward to form a bearing 32 and has pivotally secured thereto an arm 33 for supporting an X-ray tube unit shown generally at 34. This supporting arm 33 may comprise a hollow sleeve 35 having a complementary portion 36 forming a bearing with the bearing 32 and pivoted to the upright column 20 in any suitable manner such as by means of a stud and nut combination 31. Telescopically engaging the sleeve 35 is a tubular rod or the like 38, provided with a longitudinally extending slot 39 and having one of its ends formed into a shoulder portion 40. This accordingly enables the tubular rod to be moved to various extensible positions with respect to the sleeve 35 in which position it may be secured by means of a lock 42 in the form of a wing nut and bolt passing through the longitudinal slot 39 thus also preventing rotation of the tubular rod 38.

The X-ray tube unit may comprise a metallic casing 43 housing an X-ray tube (not shown) immersed in a cooling and insulating material, such as oil, and provided with a pair of radially extending arms 44 to which a pair of flexible grounded metallic sheath cables 45 are connected for supplying high potential electrical energy from a suitable source to the X-ray tube. Such a unit is shown and described in the copending application of Clayton T. Ulrey et al., Serial No. 713,462, filed March 1, 1934 and as the same per se forms no part of my present invention further detailed description herein is deemed unnecessary. Secured to the unit 34 in any suitable manner is a short shaft or the like 46 which telescopically engages the tubular rod 38. This shaft is provided with a shoulder portion 4! bearing against the shoulder portion 40 of the tubular rod to form a bearing enabling rotary movement of the X-ray unit 34 about the axis formed at the joint of the shaft 46 and rod 38.

A peripheral groove 48 is also provided in the shaft 46, as can be seen in Fig. 4, and a suitable lock 49 similar to the lock 42 is arranged to engage this groove 48 so as to lock the unit against rotary movement.

By this construction movement of the X-ray tube unit 34 is substantially universal to facilitate correctly positioning the same over any particular portion of the anatomy of a patient. For example, rotary movement to various angular inclinations is effected by rotation of the shaft 46 about the pivot formed by its engagement with the tubular rod 38, as before explained. Adjustment of the X-ray tube unit in a horizontal plane as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, is accomplished by the telescopic engagement of the tubular rod 38 with the sleeve 35 and similarly vertical adjustment results due to the extensible, or what might be said to be telescopic engagement, of the upright column 20 with respect to the base 5. A still further adjustment in a horizontal plane is also effected by movement of the entire tube stand longitudinally of the guide rails l3 and I9 and, after being correctly positioned, may be securely maintained by a locknut 50* provided in the semisleeve I! which binds against the guide rail IS. A further lock (not shown) may be provided, if desired, to maintain the upright column 20 in any position, with respect to the base 5, although such is not necessary as this relationship will remain fixed because of the counterbalancing of the upright.

It can thus be readily seen by those skilled in the art that 'I have provided an X-ray tube stand wherein the X-ray tube unit is carried at the uppermost extremity of the stand and is arranged for substantially universal movement thereabout.

This accordingly removes all obstacles which might otherwise be contacted by the flexible grounded metallic sheathed cables resulting in wear thereto and possible breakdown with attendant spark-over of the high potential electrical energy. Moreover, the upright column portion of the stand extensibly engages the base portion thus enhancing the facility of adjustment of the entire unit without effecting the ease of movement of the high potential cables.

It is also to be understood that although I have shown and described, as a preferred embodiment of my present invention, the same utilized in conjunction with an X-ray examination table it may be readily constructed as a portable device merely by the provision of a tripod element on suitable casters which thus forms a part of the base in lieu of supporting the same upon the usual guide rails as shown. Furthermore, various other modifications of my present invention may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A stand for supporting an X-ray tube unit to enable substantially universal movement thereof comprising a base provided with spaced hollow vertically disposed sections, a vertical upright disposed between said vertical hollow sections, means carried by said base and engaging said upright to prevent lateral movement therebetween and to enable said upright to be moved to various vertical positions with respect to said base, and means disposed in the vertical hollow sections of said base and connected to said vertical upright to counterbalance vertical movement thereof.

2. A stand for supporting an X-ray tube unit to enable substantially universal movement thereof comprising a base provided with a pair of spaced hollow vertically disposed sections, a vertical upright extensibly disposed relative to said base and movable between the spaced hollow sections thereof, guide means carried by said base at spaced distances adjacent the hollow sections and engaging said upright to prevent lateral movement therebetween and to enable said upright to be moved to various extensible positions with respect to said base, and counterweights movable in the vertical hollow sections of said base and connected to said upright for counterbalancing vertical movement thereof.

3. A stand for supporting an X-ray tube unit to enable substantially universal movement thereof comprising a base provided with spaced hollow vertically disposed sections having interconnecting braces, a plurality of rollers carried by one of said interconnecting braces and spaced in longitudinal relation with respect to said hollow sections, a vertical upright disposed between said hollow sections and provided with guideways engageable by the rollers carried by said interconnecting braces to enable extensible movement of said upright relative to said base, and counterweights disposed in the hollow sections of said base and connected to said upright to counterbalance the latter in all its various extended positions.

4. A stand for supporting an X-ray tube unit to enable substantially universal movement thereof comprising a base provided with a pair of spaced hollow vertically disposed sections having interconnecting braces, a vertical upright disposed between said hollow sections and provided with longitudinally extending guide-ways, spaced means carried by said base and engaging the guide-ways of said upright to enable extensible movement of said upright relative to said base and for preventing lateral movement therebetween and movable means disposed in the hollow sections of said base and connected to said upright for supporting and counterbalancing the latter in all its extended positions.

ALBERT C. NELSON. 

